Former Bachelor star Gia Allemand has died at the age of 29 after committing suicide by hanging herself, TMZreports.

Gia's boyfriend Ryan Anderson - who has released a statement on the tragic news - is said to have discovered her body hanging and unconscious in her home and immediately called 911.

In a statement on Wednesday, NBA player Ryan has payed tribute to his girlfriend saying: 'Gia was the most beautiful person I knew inside and out and she always smiled and made everyone else around her smile. She had such an amazing impact on my life and anyone that knew her was blessed.'

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She was the most beautiful person I knew': Ryan Anderson pays tribute to his girlfriend Gia Allemand - pictured above on holiday in May this year - who has died aged 29

Following the 911 emergency call, Gia was taken to University Hospital in New Orleans on Monday where she was put on life support.

On Tuesday she remained in hospital unconscious in critical condition and on continued life support.

It was on Wednesday that life support was withdrawn after her condition failed to improve, and her family released a statement confirming that she had died.

TMZ have also claimed that Gia has been 'upset about a rocky relationship with her boyfriend Ryan Anderson'.

However, Gia was frequently posting happy photos of herself with Ryan, most recently a shot of the pair in Las Vegas at the end of last month.

Heartbreaking: Gia wrote in May this year, 'best vacation me and @ryananderson ever had! We can't wait to go back next year'

Loving couple: Gia and Ryan were seen here in Las Vegas at the end of last month, appearing to enjoy a romantic evening out together

Argument? TMZ has claimed Gia had been 'upset about a rocky relationship with her boyfriend Ryan Anderson' - but the pair, pictured here in June, appear to have been very happy in a series of Instagram photographs

In his statement, Ryan said: 'I'm deeply grateful for all the love and support we have received from family, friends and fans.'

Adding: 'All I have left is to cherish those memories we made together and help perpetuate the many values, faith and love that we shared.'

Gia's family confirmed the news of her death in an earlier statement, saying: 'Due to a critical loss of brain and organ function, life support was withdrawn today,' a statement from her family read.

Dead: Gia Allemand, pictured just last week at an event with fellow Bachelor contestant Ali Fedotowsky, has died after an apparent suicide attempt

Devastating: Gia - pictured here in February this year - was found at her New Orleans, Louisiana home by her long term boyfriend, NBA player Ryan Anderson, on Monday evening

'Ms. Allemand passed away peacefully
with her mother, boyfriend, and other life-long friends by her side. As a
practicing Christian, Gia did receive the sacrament of last rites.

'Loved
ones and fans will remember Gia Allemand as a caring woman who loved
her family and was well-known for her compassion towards animals and
mission to rescue homeless pets.'

Her family say a funeral for the reality star will take place in due course, with further details released at a later date.

'My Prince': Just last month, Gia posted this picture of Ryan sweeping her off her feet with the caption 'My Prince' as they went to see Cinderella on Broadway in New York

Goofing around: Two months ago, Gia posted this snap of her and boyfriend Ryan enjoyed a 'snow cone' drink

'Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming in another official statement once available,' the statement continued.

'On behalf of the family, we sincerely ask for privacy at this time.'

Gia almost made it to the finale on the Jake Pavelka season of the hit ABC show The Bachelor, losing out to Vienna Girardi.

Jake has already reacted to the the news of his former co-star's passing, tweeting: 'I had to pull over, I can't stop crying. We have lost an angel.'

Last night he posted a message, asking people to pray for her:'Please pray for @GiaAllemand... A dear friend and one of the sweetest women I know... #powerofprayer.'

Fun loving: Gia posted several pictures of her and her boyfriend on Instagram, including this one of the couple getting 'mud facials' just last month

Cuddles: Gia and her boyfriend Ryan cuddle up at the French Quarter Festival in New Orleans four months ago

In love: Gia posted this shot on the 14th February with the caption: 'Happy Valentines Day' and a heart symbol

Meanwhile, Vienna also took to Twitter to express her sadness on Wednesday, writing: 'Gia you are my angel! You changed so many lives with your beautiful soul and will be missed and loved forever.'

She also spoke to TMZ,
saying: 'Gia was a beautiful girl and an unbelievable friend. I’m
shocked and can’t believe what happened to her. She seemed so happy, but
you never know the demons people are fighting inside. I will never forget
her and will miss my friend forever.'

Several other stars of the Bachelor franchise have also spoken of the loss.

Boyfriend: Gia went on to find love after The Bachelor and had been dating NBA Basketball Player Anderson

Trista
Sutter, who was runner-up in season one of The Bachelor tweeted:
'#BachelorNation please join me in sending thoughts & prayers 2
@GiaAllemand 's family & all those who were blessed 2 know her.
#angeltoosoon.'

Sean Lowe, who appeared on the most recent season of the hit show meanwhile sent his condolences to Gia's family.

'My prayers go out to @GiaAllemand 's family during this time. Life on earth is but a vapor and she's with our Lord now,' he tweeted.

A shot at love: Gia and Jake Pavelka on Season 14 of The Bachelor

Reacting: Jake tweeted following news of her death, writing: 'We have lost an angel'

Melinda
Farina, a close friend of Gia's, has meanwhile been left shattered by the news.

'I just lost one of the most special friends I could have ever had..please everyone just back off. I'm completely heartbroken and empty,' she wrote on her Twitter page on Wednesday.

After her appearance on The Bachelor, Gia went on to find love with NBA basketball player Anderson
of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Gia's last social networking post was on Instagram four days ago.

Last pictures: Gia tweeted a picture of herself at a Bachelorette finale viewing party sponsored by Herbal Essences just last week

She shared a somewhat eerie picture of trees, with the words 'legend says,
when you can't sleep at night, it's because you're awake in someone
else's dream.'

Just last Monday, Gia posted pictures of herself attending a Bachelorette finale viewing party sponsored by Herbal Essences.

She looked happy as she posed alongside fellow Season 14 contestant Ali Fedotowsky at the bash.

She also posted a selfie snap in which she is seen smiling for the camera and looking gorgeous in a printed white dress.

After the Bachelor in 2010,Gia - a model and actress - later joined the cast of reality series Bachelor Pad in 2010 but only made it to the third episode.

She always maintained that she entered the reality show in the genuine hope to find true love.

'I truly went on the show to find love!' she told Emme magazine.

She will be missed: Vienna Girardi also took to Twitter to express her sadness on Wednesday

A huge loss: Ali, who was with Gia just last week, shared her sadness over her friend and co-star's passing

Shattered: Melinda
Farina, a close friend of Gia's, has been left shattered by the news

Pray for her family: The Bachelor Season One contestant Trista Sutter asked fans to pray for Gia's family

Sending love: American Idol contestant Pia Toscano also tweeted her condolences to Gia's family

'A
few months before going on The Bachelor my boyfriend broke my heart. I
couldn’t date or meet anyone. I was in such a rut so my friends
submitted me for The Bachelor.'

Gia began her career as a model not too long after she was born.

As a baby she starred in commercials for Johnson & Johnson and Gerber Baby.

In her teenage years, her modelling career took off when she was asked to enter a swimsuit competition.

Last post: Just four days ago, Gia shared a somewhat eerie picture of trees, with the words 'legend says, when you can't sleep at night, it's because you're awake in someone else's dream' on Instagram

That
led to several more, and Gia ended up taking second place in both the
Miss Hawaiian Tropic competition and Miss Red Hot Taj Mahal Super Bowl
contest in 2005.

But it was when she appeared in men's magazine Maxim in 2007 she became widely recognised.

Her appearance in the publication led her to then take the tiara in the Miss Bikini-USA's Model of the Year in 2008.

But
Gia's passion was for acting and performing, and in 2010 she was
cast in the role of famed Hollywood actress Ava Gardner in a film
produced by Brett Ratner about the life of actor Gianni Russo.

Untimely passing: The University Hospital in New Orleans where Gia passed away on Wednesday

Russo had personally chose her to play Gardner saying, 'Gia looks a lot like Ava, but it's really the passion that she had that convinced me to cast her.'

The same year Gia also appeared in a television pilot called Ghost Trek.

The series pilot was a paranormal reality show with a comic horror theme.